May 10, 2015, Queens, NY It’s a sport of extremes. Not since April 15, 1985, (three decades ago) have two fighters seemed so totally committed to the destruction of one another. That night, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns fought Marvelous Marvin Hagler for the middleweight championship of the world in, arguably, the most brutal eight minutes in the history of the sport. While Canelo Alvarez and James Kirkland are not in the same class as the aforementioned all-time greats (Kirkland–no; Alvarez–possibly, to early to call), they brought enthusiastic brutality to the sport sometimes inappropriately referred to as the “sweet science.” There was nothing “sweet” or “scientific” about what occurred in the ring.
Ring announcer Michael Buffer’s voice seemed to be back (there was some concern last week because of his crackling and weak introduction in the Mayweather-Pacquiao bout). The raucous and pro-Canelo crowd of nearly 32,000 who witnessed the fight in the confines of Minute Maid Field in Houston, Texas, proved the sport of boxing cannot be derailed by one fight as both boxers were overdosed on machismo.
Just before the bell sounded to begin the fight, HBO’s Jim Lampley exclaimed, “This fight might knock you out.” Kirkland got to the center of the ring before Alvarez and pressed forward, cornering him and throwing a vicious left hook. Alvarez dove into Kirkland and threw a one-two, left-right combination that missed, but made the point. Kirkland pinned Alvarez against the ropes and threw an assortment of hooks, some landing and some missing, but all with “horrible” intentions. A stunned Alvarez fired back, but it was obvious that he was taken aback by the fast pace, relentlessness, and recklessness of Kirkland.
The fighters continued to trade in the center of the ring when Alvarez jarred Kirkland with a right uppercut and vicious left hook to the body. Kirkland retreated, and Alvarez went into full attack mode. Canelo missed with a looping left but followed with a crushing right that knocked Kirkland into the ropes and down. Kirkland got up and was wobbly as the referee gave him a standing-eight count. With a little over a minute left in the round, it seemed that Kirkland had very little chance of surviving. Canelo threw and landed hard hooks and straight rights on Kirkland’s head and body. But Kirkland showed signs of life, firing back and amazingly trying to become the aggressor again. With less than 30 seconds, Canelo threw a wicked combination that started upstairs and ended with a classic “Mexican” liver shot that paralyzed Kirkland who should have gone down. Right before the bell sounded, Canelo continued to pummel Kirkland with deftly thrown uppercuts and hooks to the body and head.
Boxing analyst Max Kellerman remarked, “Mayweather and Pacquiao could fight 120 rounds, and they won’t produce that kind of action against each other.” Both fighters met in the center of the ring for the start of round two. Kirkland threw the first punch, and Canelo avoided it and missed a counter. Canelo forced Kirkland against the ropes and unleashed a series of hooks and uppercuts that knocked Kirkland against the ropes. Kirkland, pinned in the corner, threw a hard lead left that momentarily stunned Canelo. As the fighters made their way back to the center of the ring, Kirkland became the aggressor. It seemed that Canelo might have been gassed, but he continued to fire back at Kirkland who was in full Mandingo Warrior mode. Kirkland landed a left that slightly buckled Canelo who seemed to be playing possum against the ropes. Kirkland started to pull even in the round, until…
Canelo through a counter uppercut that stopped Kirkland’s momentum and then landed a combination that caused Kirkland to give ground. Kirkland regained himself and then continued to press forward. He backed Canelo against the ropes and continued to throw punches, most of them missing. With ten seconds left, Canelo landed a tremendous left hook, right hook combination that sapped Kirkland who had to be relieved when the bell sounded.
The third round began with Kirkland resuming the role of the aggressor. He pinned Canelo against the ropes and threw punches in bunches. Canelo stayed on the ropes looking for his opportunity. At this point, Kirkland’s punches lost considerable steam even though he was winning the round. Kirkland continued to pursue Canelo who was content to give ground. Canelo landed a series of straight rights and lefts to Kirkland’s head causing him to finally back up. Then, Canelo avoided a lunging punch by Kirkland and landed an “awful” uppercut that put Kirkland down. The referee gave Kirkland a standing-eight count. Canelo backed a still game Kirkland to the ropes and threw a crushing right hook that landed on the side of Kirkland’s head that knocked him out before he hit the canvas. Kirkland stayed on the canvas bleeding profusely from the mouth, a gory sight. TKO, round three. Just like Hearns-Hagler. Thirty years ago.
Would the result have been different if the great boxing trainer, Ann Wolfe, had been in Kirkland’s corner? It is a regret that he will have to live with for the rest of his life. His two losses occurred when she was not in his corner. He was obviously in terrific shape, but the question will remain, “Would he had been willing to walk through the gates of hell if Ann Wolfe was there?” What can not be questioned is how this beating depreciated Kirkland (32-2, 28 KOs) who has been in one war too many. His expiration date is nearing.
Canelo (45-1-1, 32 KOs) has several options, but he looked too big to remain at 154 lbs. He is slated to fight Miguel Cotto this fall. Canelo may also fight Triple G, Gennady Golovkin, or even Mayweather (though that is highly unlikely). HBO has their “cash cow” in Canelo who becomes, arguably, the most “must watch” fighter in the sport. He is willing to fight anyone and has surpassed Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. as the most beloved boxer in the boxing-crazed country of Mexico.
Kirkland was game, valiant, courageous, etc., but it wasn’t enough to keep him from being–Canelo-ed!
Professor Clifford Benton can be reached at cliffb@puresportsny.com.